Tonawanda Coke study kicks off with soil sampling

“The soil samples will be tested using a state Department of Health-certified laboratory and cutting-edge soil-analysis techniques at UB and SUNY Fredonia to determine the impact that emissions from Tonawanda Coke have had on the surrounding environment”

Joseph Gardella Jr., distinguished professor

SUNY

The investigation into how air pollution emissions from the
Tonawanda Coke plant may have affected nearby soil kicked into gear
today with a gathering of elected officials, community organizers
and scientists from UB and SUNY Fredonia.

The event — at the River Road Volunteer Fire Co. in
Tonawanda — included citizen scientists taking the first of
about 300 soil samples from sites in the town and city of
Tonawanda, the village of Kenmore, Grand Island and the city of
Buffalo that surround the plant.

“The situation surrounding Tonawanda Coke speaks to the
importance of the Environmental Protection Agency and the critical
difference residents can make in fighting for their
community,” said Rep. Brian Higgins. “The soil
study, a collaboration between various levels of government, the
community, local businesses and the University at Buffalo, will
provide further clues about the lasting impact of the
company’s negligent actions and give us insight to make
informed decisions moving forward.”

Joseph Gardella Jr., SUNY Distinguished Professor and John and
Frances Larkin Professor of Chemistry at UB, who is leading the
study, said UB and collaborators from SUNY Fredonia and Citizen
Science Community Resources (CSCR) will implement citizen
science-based soil sampling in the city and town of Tonwawanda,
parts of Riverside, Black Rock and North Buffalo, and parts of
Grand Island.

“The soil samples will be tested using a state Department
of Health-certified laboratory and cutting-edge soil-analysis
techniques at UB and SUNY Fredonia to determine the impact that
emissions from Tonawanda Coke have had on the surrounding
environment,” Gardella said.

“If it wasn’t for a small group of people believing
that they could make a difference — and actually getting off
their couches, going outside and doing something about it—
none of this would have happened,” James-Creedon said.

The $711,000 study — officially known as
“Determining the Environmental Impact of Coke Oven Emissions
Originating from Tonawanda Coke Corp. on Surrounding Residential
Community” — is a collaboration between members of
UB’s Department of Chemistry, SUNY Fredonia’s
Department of Chemistry and CSCR.

It is part of a larger $11.4 million effort — also led by
UB researchers — ordered by a federal judge after Tonawanda
Coke Corp. was found guilty of violating the Clean Air Act and
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

Study participants are trying to determine how the violations
may have affected the health of nearby residents and employees.
Coke oven gas contains a number of toxic chemicals that are
potentially hazardous to health, including benzene, a known
carcinogen.

Statements regarding the Tonawanda Coke soil study

“The soil study being conducted is an important first step
in assessing the potential longer term impact of the Tonawanda Coke
emissions on our community,” said state Sen. Chris Jacobs.
“The results of this testing will be critical to determining
if any additional cleanup will be necessary to protect the health
and safety of our community, and I am glad this essential work is
moving forward.”

“I have supported Jackie’s efforts for the last 11
years. The City of Tonawanda stands with CSCR, UB and SUNY
Fredonia, and supports the soil testing as a means to figure out
what, if any, contamination has occurred because of the negligence
of Tonawanda Coke,” said City of Tonawanda Mayor Rick
Davis.

“I encourage the community to stay involved in the process
of the soil study. Positive action happens when people care,”
said Grand Island Supervisor Nate McMurray.

“As a native of the Town of Tonawanda, I am honored to be
a part of this important, groundbreaking project, and I hope that
we can help the residents get a clearer picture of what has been
happening in their community,” said Michael Milligan,
professor in SUNY Fredonia’s Department of Chemistry.

“Citizen science — scientific research undertaken by
members of the public — puts the tools of science into the
hands of people who can use it to make a difference for the places
they live in and care about. In some of the most powerful cases,
such as here in Tonawanda, citizen science can be a tool for
communities to create defensible knowledge and use it to combat
injustice,” said Jennifer Lynn Shirk, interim director of the
Citizen Science Association.